Improvement in carriage-tops



P. COPLAND. Carriage-Top.

Patented Oct. 9, 1877.

NPEI'ERS PHOTO-LITHOGRAFNER, WASHKNGYON. D C

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFIGE.

PETER OOPLAIID, OF JOHNSTOWN, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF HIS RIGHT TO JAMES W. WOLFE, OF SAME PLACE.

IM PROVEME NT IN CARRIAGE-TOPS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 195,986, dated October 9, 1877; application filed September 19, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PETER COPLAND, of Johnstown, county of Licking, and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Carriage-Tops; and I do hereby declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the annexed drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a side view of my improved carriage-top. Fig. 2 is a similar view thereof when let down; and Fig. 3 is a detached sectional view.

Corresponding parts in the several figures are denoted by like letters.

This invention relates to certain improvements in carriage-tops, and has particular reference to that class having a rigid canopy or top; and it consists, principally, in the manner of putting the parts together, and their relative arrangement and combination, substantially as hereinafter more fully set forth and claimed.

In the annexed drawing, A refers to the seat, the back-rail B of which is provided with arms I) I), having lateral or right angular projections b I), which serve as pivots for the lower ends of the vertical bows of the canopy or top, and the lower ends of the jointed braces to be hereinafter more fullyreferred to. B re 'ers to a horizontal frame, which may be made of a continuous piece, or of two bows spliced together and fastened. B is a bow, centrally disposed in the frame B}, and having its arms or depending portions connected to the backrail of the seat, as above stated, and standing perpendicularly, to be out of the way of the person getting in and out of the vehicle. The bow B and frame B are mortised, so as to permit of their being halved together and secured or fastened in place by rivets or bolts 0 upon the inner or rear sides of the irons or -plates c 0 having the projections c 0 serving as pivots for the jointed braces D D.- To prevent the plates 0 c turning they are perforated, and screws or otherfastenings passed through said perforations, and inserted into the frame B securing said plates in position. By having the plates 0 c and the rivets or bolts 0 constructed in connection with the pivots c c of the jointed braces D D, the frame B and bow B of the top or canopy are simultaneously put together, and fastened in place with pro viding pivots for the upper ends of the braces D D. The plates 0 0 also serve to brace and strengthen the mortised or weakened points of the frame and bow B Two other bows, E E, of less curvature, and smaller than the bow B suitably arranged upon each side of the latter, and fastened to the frame B, assist in forming the top, which are covered in the usual manner and with the usual material and trimmings to complete the top orcanopy. The top orcanopy,when down, is supported in place upon the lower pivots b of the jointed braces D D.

It will also be noticed that the canopy or top can be lowered to such a point as to clear any obstruction under which the horse can pass. When in a lowered position the top or canopy will rest at a point between and in from the hind wheels of the vehicle to lessen the liability of mud, &c., being thrown thereon by the wheels.

Having thus described my invention what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Iatent, 1s-

The combination of the frame B bow B the two being mortised together, plates 0 0 having rivets or bolts cfastening the said bow and frame together, and projections or pivots c 0 and the jointed braces D D, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

PETER COPLAND. [L. s.]

Witnesses:

D. K. TROW'BRIDGE, J oHN THARP. 

